Introduction to Swahili

Swahili, referred to as Kiswahili in its own language, is a Bantu language that is spoken across much of East and Central Africa, including in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mozambique, Malawi, and parts of Somalia and South Sudan. In Tanzania, Swahili is the official language, in Kenya and Uganda it is the official language alongside English, and in Rwanda it is the official language along with Kinyarwanda, English, and French. Around 200 million people speak Swahili across the globe and it is among the top ten most spoken languages in the world according to the United Nations. Due to the long history of trade and cultural exchange between Arabs and East Africans, Swahili incorporates some vocabulary from Arabic. Swahili is important for the operations of both the African Union and East African Community as it serves as an official language.

Sources:

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica (2025, July 9). Swahili language. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Swahili-language

Lisanza, V. (2021, December 9). Swahili gaining popularity globally | Africa Renewal. Africa Renewal. https://africarenewal.un.org/en/magazine/swahili-gaining-popularity-globally